In this episode of My City Talks, powered by My City My Health, host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with Jasmine Brooks, project manager for the USDA-backed Double Up Food Bucks program in Iowa. Together, they explore the realities of food insecurity, the cultural significance of food, and the importance of choice in nutrition.

From the lost art of cooking to the challenges of accessing fresh produce through SNAP, Jasmine shares real-life insights on how programs like Double Up Iowa are helping families stretch their dollars, support local farmers, and reclaim their health. This conversation is a preview of the upcoming My City My Health Conference in Des Moines on November 14, where leaders, advocates, and community members will gather to move from conversation to action.

🎟️ Register for the conference: https://mycity.health

🔗 Learn more about Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org

Topics covered in this episode:

• Jasmine’s journey into food insecurity work (01:00)
• How Double Up Food Bucks stretches SNAP dollars (02:45)
• Why food insecurity is about more than “boxes of food” (04:00)
• Cooking as a lost art (05:30)
• Eating for color: simple nutrition tips (06:30)
• Cultural pride vs. healthy eating (10:00)
• Access, education, and the stigma of food assistance (13:00)
• How Double Up Food Bucks supports local farmers & grocers (18:00)
• SNAP, Medicaid, and funding challenges in Iowa (20:00)
• Turning conversation into action at My City My Health (25:00)
• How to connect with Jasmine Brooks & Double Up Iowa (30:00)

Resources & Links:

• 🎟️ Register for My City My Health Des Moines (Nov. 14): https://mycity.health

• 🌱 Double Up Iowa: https://doubleupiowa.org

• 💡 Presented by UnityPoint Health: https://www.unitypoint.org